ALDERMAN SAWYER VOTES TO APPROVE 2012 CHICAGO BUDGET

For Immediate Release
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ALDERMAN SAWYER VOTES TO APPROVE 2012 CHICAGO BUDGET

Today Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer of the 6^th Ward voted to approve the 2012 City of Chicago Budget.  This is the first budget proposed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and sought to address a more than $600 million budget shortfall.
“I do not agree with everything in this budget but the reality is that the city is in a difficult economic situation,” Alderman Sawyer said, “I appreciate the fact that the Mayor has sought to address some major issues such as the structural deficit and replacing our crumbling sewer system.”
Alderman Sawyer publicly opposed the cuts to the library and the reduction of frontline staff and worked diligently with fellow concerned alderman to reduce some of the cuts though more work is necessary to be done.  As a signer of an open letter with 28 other aldermen, Alderman Sawyer did help secure some reductions in proposed service cuts.
“In the end, budgets are about bringing results for my constituents and setting priorities for the city.  Ever since I started my campaign I have argued for public safety and the importance of small things in providing that sense of security.” Alderman Sawyer said, “My time in office has confirmed that one of the most important issues to my constituents has been the lack of working lights in our community.  It has been a major deliverable that I have worked to achieve through this process.  The fact that the city has committed to funding the Bureau of Electricity to have enough work staff to once again reduce wait times for light repairs is a necessary victory for the quality of life of my residents. “
“There is more work that needs to be done, I hope to continue to work with the Mayor on going further on addressing the major challenges still facing out neighborhoods moving forward.”